Through carefully curated messaging, PR specialists use their media expertise to help create and preserve a positive image of the company or organisation they stand for. It's a diverse, challenging career, with opportunities to mix with a wide variety of people.

A combination of journalism and PR is ideal if you're fascinated by current trends and issues, and excel at building relationships.

Why UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Journalism and Public Relations will give you an in-depth understanding of core journalistic skills, enhancing them with specialist public relations expertise.

You'll work individually and as part of a team to deliver projects to live briefs and deadlines, and apply your entrepreneurial skills to meet the needs of diverse audiences.

Explore the hands-on skill of traditional reporting and PR, and produce compelling, well-researched stories using blogs, content marketing, digital and social media to engage diverse audiences.

Develop an in-depth understanding of the political, economic and media contexts in which today's media are produced and consumed. Find out how to turn your skills into a rewarding, well-paid career.

Our strong industry links with Bristol's cultural scene mean you'll receive regular input from journalists and PR professionals. You'll benefit from the insights of guest lectures and take on live briefs and work placements at organisations like The Post and Bristol City Council.

Showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year Creative Industries Degree Show and graduate with an impressive portfolio of work.

All our journalism courses are based at Bower Ashton Studios, giving you the opportunity to mix with like-minded individuals from similar disciplines. It's part of City Campus, a creative powerhouse that spans the city of Bristol and consists of Bower Ashton, Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed.

Where can it take me?

As a PR practitioner you may choose to work in-house or in a consultancy, with sectors including business-to-business, local government, charity and finance. Taking the Journalism and PR route could also see you working in copywriting, editing or publishing, among many other options.

Whichever path you choose, your advanced communications and research skills will ensure you stand out in a rapidly expanding industry.

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year zero (foundation year)

You will study the following compulsory modules:

Academic Skills for Arts and Humanities

Thought, Ideas and Myths: past, present and future

Bristol, Arts and Culture

The Power of Words.

You will study the Foundation year alongside students from other Arts, Creative Industries and Journalism courses.

The normal expectation is that you must pass all Foundation year modules before progressing to Year one.

Year one

You will study:

Newsgathering

Introduction to Journalism and Public Communication

Civic Journalism

Public Relations Skills.

Year two

You will study:

Visual Journalism

Reputation Management

Researching Journalism and Public Communication

Digital Communication Management.

Final year

You will study:

PR Consultancy Skills.

Plus, optional modules from (the number depending on credit requirements):

Journalism Innovations

Activism and the Media

Advanced Feature Writing

Newsroom Practice

Journalism Dissertation*

Work Experience

Independent Project*

*Cannot be taken together.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

Learn through a mix of practical workshops, lectures, seminars, and individual tutorials.

Our City Campus connects teaching and learning with some of the best creative and cultural organisations in Bristol. Bower Ashton houses the main creative and cultural industries library as well as student support services.

Use high-definition digital cameras for projects and specialist software in the studio for editing audio and visual material. Our computer labs provide further facilities for producing material. Friendly technical support is always available.

This mix of traditional and hands-on learning environments helps you quickly take on essential knowledge and skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.

Typical offers

Tariff points: 64

GCSE: For all applicants, Grade C/4 or above in English Language, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.

English Language Requirement:

You will require a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0, with 6.0 in each component.

A-level subjects: No specific subjects required. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of one A-Level.

Relevant subjects: Humanities, Media, English, Social Sciences.

EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.

Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; no specific subjects required.

Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

We recognise the individual nature of each application and our typical offer should be viewed as a guide. UWE Bristol welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of your relevant personal, professional or educational experience where it demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed on the course. Please include details of any relevant experience in your application.

If you receive an offer for this course, you may be invited to attend an Offer Holder Day in February or March. These are a great opportunity to find out what it's really like to study here. You'll experience taster lectures or workshops, meet your course tutors, current students and other offer holders.

If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through UWE Bristol's International College which, upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year 1 of the degree.

Offer Types

If you have not received your exam results, your offer from us will be conditional and will be subject to you achieving the tariff points/grades required for your course.

If you have already satisfied the academic entry requirements of your chosen course, you are likely to be made an unconditional offer. Please note that we will only make unconditional offers if you have already achieved your qualifications.

To make sure our applicants are academically prepared for when they start their studies here, we do not make unconditional offers to those that are still studying their Level 3 qualifications (such as A-levels, BTEC, Access or equivalent). We hope that this will encourage our applicants to value their academic achievements as much as we do.

How to apply

UCAS Extra: We welcome applications through UCAS Extra for this course between 25 February and 4 July 2019. We aim to give you a response to your application within 21 days.